Bottle handling device



y 22, 1952 H. SCHWARZ BOTTLE HANDLING DEVICE Filed 001;. 11. 1949 FIG. 2

INVENTOR LEONARD H. SCHWARZ ATTORNEY Patented July 22, 1952 'UNlTED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE Leonard H. Schwarz, Hartford, Conn.

Application October 11, 1949, Serial No. 120,697

27 Claims.

This invention relates to bottle handling devices of the character or type constructed to lift a plurality of assembled bottles, to transfer the same to another point and to deposit them upon a suitable support.

It is the usual procedure, in handling bottles for soft drinks and other beverages, to return the bottles to the bottling plant in cases and to lift the bottles from these cases and place them upon a suitable conveyor belt which feeds them to a cleansing and sterilizing apparatus. Bottle lifting and carrying devices have been produced for removing the bottles from the cases, a predetermined number at a time, and depositing the same on'the conveyor belt. The bottle gripping means of the prior devices of which applicant is aware have been relatively complicated in construction and expensive to manufacture and the cost of constructing the same has constituted a considerable factor in the cost of the carriers. The bottle lifting and carrying devices receive rough treatment in the bottle handling operations and are frequently damaged and have to be replaced.

One object of the present invention is to improve generally the construction and mode of operation of bottle lifters and carriers of the above type. l I

Another object ofthe invention is to produce a bottle lifter and carrier of the above type having bottle gripping means'which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture as compared'with priorconstructions, is easy and convenient to operate and ishighly efficient in itsgripping and holding action.

Another object of the invention is to produce a bottle lifting and transporting device or carrier of the type described having an improved supporting frame which is especially constructed to withstand the heavy strains to which such devices are subjected in use.

With the above objects in view, the invention consists in a bottle lifter" and carrier embodying the novel and improved features, constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the advantages of which will be readily understood and-appreciated by those skilled inthe art.

The various features of the invention will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawings illustrating a bottle lifting and carrying device embodying the invention in its preferred form and the following detailed description of the construction therein shown.

The invention is illustrated in this application as embodied in a device especially constructed for gripping bottles in a case and lifting them from the case by manual operations. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown in the drawings or to a device for performing these particular operations.

In the drawing;v

Fig. 1 is a view in end elevation of a bottle lifting device embodying the invention, said view illustrating the lifting device applied to an assembly of bottles in acase or crate.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the bottle lifting device and case, with. certain parts broken away and certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional .view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation illustrating the lifting device supporting a plurality of bottles.

The bottle lifter and carrier is shown in the drawing as applied to a series of bottles A of a well-known form or type contained in a case or crate B. The case is provided with the usual side and end walls and may have any suitable partitions for dividing the case into compartments, each for the reception of a single bottle. The bottles are arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows in the case, and the particular case shown is adapted to carry 24 bottles, With six bottles in each longitudinal row and four bottles in each transverse row. Fig. 1 shows only three of the six bottles in a longitudinal row.

A bottle lifter incorporating the invention may be varied as to the number of bottles that may be lifted. When intended for use with a standard 24 bottle case, the device may be constructed to lift eight bottles constituting two transverse rows or to lift twelve bottles constituting two longitudinal rows. As illustrated the device is adapted for lifting eight bottles in two transverse rows.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the bottle lifter and carrier comprises a transportable frame indicated as a whole at 10 and provided with end plates or Walls [2 held securely together in the required spaced relation to hold the desired predetermined number of bottles. Each end wall preferably has a shape or outline such as that shown in Figs. 1 and i. As shown in the figures, each wall has a relatively wide lower portion or body i2 having -a dimension suflicient to span two adjacent bottles in a longitudinal row. Each wall is also provided with a relatively narrow portion lz 'extending upwardly from the body and forming a part of the handle of the carrier.

The means for holding said walls together in properly spaced relation is designed to form, with said walls, a relatively light, strong and sturdy frame structure. Said means comprises a series of parallel bars I4 and M preferably consisting drawn from said openings, the central portions of the pins are bent laterally, after insertion, as indicated at 18 in Fig. 2.

The means for securing the end walls of the frame together also comprises a bar 20 preferably somewhat larger than the bars M and I l and having its ends secured rigidly to said end walls. In the construction shown, the ends of the bar 28 are secured to the upper ends of the projections E2 on the end walls and said bar forms the cross bar of the handle of the carrier. The bar 29 also preferably consists of a length of metallic tubing constructed to fit between the end walls [2. The means for securing the ends of this bar to the end walls comprises a hollow plug 22 inserted in each end of the body of the bar and held in place by welding or otherwise. This plug is formed with a reduced portion 24 which engages in a suitable opening in the corresponding end Wall in which it is arranged to fit tightly. The reduced end of the plug is held securely in the corresponding end wall by means of a pin 2 6 passing through suitable openings in the end wall and the plug. The central portions of these pins also are preferably bent laterally to prevent their accidental withdrawal.

In order to reinforce the frame of the bottle lifter and carrier, the frame is provided with a third wall 21 located preferably midway between the end walls 12. The bars it and M of the frame of the carrier pass through openings in the 3 intermediate wall 21 and preferably the bars fit tightly in said openings thereby forming rigid connections between the bars and said wall. In the present form of the invention, the intermediate wall has the outline shown in Fig. 3.

The pairs of bars 14 at the base of the carrier on opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the carrier are spaced suitable distances apart to receive between the bars of each pair, the upper portions of the bottles of two adjacent transverse rows in the case. The bars in each of these pairs are spaced to receive between them and engage the bottles in each row adjacent and below the necks. These act as bottle locating bars engaging opposite sides of the bottles in each row.

The bars hi are located some distance above the outer bars I4 and a relatively short distance nearer to the central longitudinal vertical plane of the carrier. These bars are arranged. to engage the bottles of each row, located between the bars [4 of each pair, at the necks just below the usual outwardly projecting ribs as shown in Fig. 1 and constitute stationary gripper bars to grip the necks of the bottles.

Cooperating respectively with the stationary gripper bars 14* are movable gripper bars 28 arranged substantially at th same distance from the base of the carrier as the bars M and located in spaced opposed relation to the latter bars for the insertion of the necks of the bottles between the same respectively and the corresponding bars M the bars 28 also being arranged to engage the bottles just below the projecting ribs of the necks.

These gripper bars 28 also preferably consist of metallic tubing.

The bars 28 are mounted on the frame of the carrier so that they are freely movable toward and from the cooperating bars M to grip and release the necks of bottles inserted between the gripper bars of the two sets. To this end, the ends of the bars 28 are engaged loosely in substantially horizontal grooves 30 formed in the end walls [2 of the carrier frame. These grooves are of sumcient width and depth to permit the free independent lateral movement of each end of each bar. Thus the bars are floatingly mounted in the carrier frame. The bars 28 rest upon the intermediate wall 2'! of the frame which supports the central portions of said bars. The portion of the end wall at the base of each groove limits the endwise movements of the bars.

When the carrier has been applied to the bottles in a case in substantially the position shown in Fig. l, the gripper bars 28 are moved in opposite directions to grip the necks of the bottles between the same and the opposed gripper bars 14. The mechanism for moving the bars 28 in opposite directions, in the illustrated form of the invention, comprises two wedge acting members located at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of each bar and arranged to engage directly the ripper bars. These wedge acting members consist of cone-shaped blocks 32 respectively mounted for vertical movement upon rods 34 suspended from a vertically movable actuating bar 36. These cone members are positioned to engage between the laterally movable gripper bars 28 in the manner shown in Fig. 1 when said members are in lowered positions, the bars then being out of gripping relation to the necks of the bottles. The said cone members are moved upwardly in unison from their lowered positions to move the bars 28 in opposite directions into gripping engagement with the bottles. This upward movement of the cone members is produced by the upward movement of the bar 36.

During the upward movement of the cone members in unison, the action of said members maintains the gripper bars 28 in substantially unvarying angular positions during their lateral movement.

The bar 36 also preferably consists of a section or" metallic tubing, the length of which is slightly less than the distance between the end wall l2 of the carrier frame so that said bar may be moved freely vertically between said walls. Each of the rods 34 is preferably formed with a reduced upper end portion which is secured in an opening in the bar 36. Within each end of the bar 36 is inserted a hollow metallic plug 38 held in place by welding or otherwise. This plug is preferably formed with reduced portion 40 which engages in vertical groove 42 formed in the corresponding side wall [2. This construction for mounting the bar 36 upon the side walls of the carrier enables said bar freely to be moved vertically in the frame of the carrier to impart corresponding vertical movements to the cone members 32 to move the gripper bars 28 in opposite directions.

The bar 36 is located so that, with said bar in depressed position, when the hand of the operator is applied to the bar 20, the fingers may be extended about the bar 36 and the latter bar may be lifted by the movement of the fingers before the device as a Whole is lifted.

In the operation of the bottle lifting and transporting device above described, the device while empty is lifted manually by grasping and lifting the handle bar 20, the mechanism for actuating the movable gripper bars then being in released condition. The device is then manipulated to place the same over a case of bottles in position to receive the upper portions of the bottles in two adjacent transverse roWs and is lowered substantially to the position shown in Fig. 1. This lowering movement of the carrier relatively positions the upper portions of the bottles between the bars I4 of each of the two pairs located upon opposite sides of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the carrier and relatively positions the necks of the bottles between the gripper bars l4 and 28 of the sets located on opposite sides of said plane. The bottles are sufficiently loose in the case to permit them to tilt slightly so that the bars [4 may pass below the beads on the necks of the bottles. The downward movement of the carrier is limited by the engagement of the bottle locating bars l4 with the bulging portions of the bottles between the necks and the bodies. This locates the carrier with relation to the bottles in the case substantially in the position shown in Fig. 1.

With the carrier in the position shown in Fig. l, the mechanism for actuating the movable gripper bars 28 is operated to grip the bottles between said bars and the fixed gripper bars M by lifting manually the bar 36. This locates the parts of the bottle gripping means substantially in the positions shown in Fig. 4.

With the bottles of the two rows gripped in this manner, the carrier is lifted while maintaining the bar 36 in its upper position, preferably by grasping both bars 20 and 3E, and the bottles are thereby lifted from the case. It will be seen that the entire weight of the carrier and of the bottles is supported by the bar 36, and that this weight prevents any downward movement of the bar 36 with respect to the frame. Inasmuch as the conical members 32 are suspended from the said bar 36, the bottles cannot be released so long as the carrier and bottles are supported by the bar 36.

The carrier with the bottles carried thereon may then be manipulated to deposit the bottles upon a conveyor belt or any other suitable support. In depositing the bottles, the carrier is lowered to engage the bases of the bottles with the support and the bar 36 is released allowing the gripper bar actuating mechanism to be moved downwardly by gravity to release the movable bars 28. The carrier then may be lifted by the handle bar 20 leaving the bottles on the support.

As already stated, the carrier may be constructed as herein shown for lifting eight bottles in two transverse rows. With such a carrier a 24 bottle case may be emptied by three operaations. Alternatively, the carrier may be made longer so as to be adapted for lifting twelve bottles in two longitudinal rows. With such a longer carrier a 24 bottle case may be emptied by two operations.

While the bottle lifting and transporting device herein shown and described is particularly designed for use in unloading bottles from a case, it is to be understood that said device is not limited to use in this particular operation but that it may be employed in handling bottles in other ways. For example, the present construction may be employed in lifting a plurality of assembled bottles from a floor or other horizontal support and depositing them in a case.

In the bottle lifting and transporting device above described, the entire bottle gripping mechanism including the movable gripping bars, the means for movably supporting said bars and the mechanism for actuating said bars is relatively simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and said mechanism may be easily and conveniently operated and controlled to grip a series .of bottles, to hold them securely during the movement of. the carrier and to release them The supporting frame of the carrier in which the end walls are rigidly attached to and connected by a relatively large number of connecting bars and the frame is reinforced by the intermediate wall also rigidly connected to all but one of said bars, constitutes a strong sturdy structure which will withstand, in a reliable manner, the strains and rough treatment to which devices of this character are usually subjected;

By making the connecting bars of the frame, the movable gripper bars and the bar 36 of the gripper bar actuating mechanism of hollow construction, the carrier is made relatively light in weight without the sacrifice of strength.

It is to be understood that the construction shown and described in this application is merely illustrative of the invention and that the invention is not limited to this particular construction but that it may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims.

Having explained the nature and objects of the invention and having specifically described a construction embodying the invention in its preferred form, what is claimed is:

1. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a transportable frame, means on said frame for engaging a series of bottles on one side thereof to grip the same, a bottle gripper bar having its ends loosely mounted in said frame for free and independent lateral movement to engage and grip said series of bottles on the opposite side thereof and to release the same, and

. means for moving the gripper bar toward said gripping means to grip the bottles.

2. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a transportable frame, means on said frame for engaging a series of bottles on one side thereof to grip the same, a bottle gripper bar floatingly mounted in said frame in opposed relation to said bottle gripping means for free lateral movement to engage said series of bottles on the opposite side thereof, and means for moving the bar toward said gripping means and, at the same time, maintaining the bar in an unvarying angular position.

3. In a device of the character described, a frame, means on said frame arranged to be grasped by an operator to lift said frame, bottle gripping means carried by said frame, a bottle gripper bar fioatingly mounted in said frame for movement toward and from said bottle gripping means, and manually operable means for moving the fioatingly mounted bar toward the bottle gripping means to grip a plurality of bottles.

4. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a transportable frame having end supports, bottle gripping means carried by said frame, a bottle gripper bar having its ends loosely mounted upon guides carried by said end supports for free, independent lateral movement toward and from said gripping means, and means for moving said gripper bar toward said gripping means to grip a plurality of bottles.

5. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a transportable frame, means on said frame for engaging a series of bottles on one side thereof to grip the same, a bottle gripper bar loosely mounted in said frame in opposed relation to said bottle gripping means for free lateral movement to engage said series of bottles on the opposite side thereof, and wedge acting means for moving portions ofsaid bar at opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof toward the bottle gripping means to grip the bottles.

6. In a device of the character described, a transportable frame, a plurality ofbottle gripping means carried by said frame, bottle gripper bars floatingly mounted in said frame respectively in opposed relation to and for movement toward and from said gripping means, and means for moving said bars in opposite directions into bottle gripping relation to said gripping means.

7. In a device of the character described, a transportable frame, a plurality of bottle gripping means carried by said frame, bottle gripper bars loosely mounted in said frame respectively in opposed relation to and for free lateral movement toward and from said gripping means, and common'means engaging both said bars for moving the bars in opposite directions into bottle gripping relation to said gripping means.

8. In a device .of the character described, a

transportable frame, a plurality of bottle gripping means carried by said frame, bottle gripper bars fioatingly mounted in said frame respectively in opposed relation to and for movement toward and from said gripping means, and

wedge acting means for moving said bars in opposite directions into bottle gripping relation to said gripping means.

9. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a shiftable frame, a plurality of bottle gripping means carried by said frame, bottle gripper bars mounted in said frame respectively in opposed relation to and for movement toward and from said gripping means, and means for moving said bars respectively with relation to said gripping means comprising two wedge acting devices arranged to act on both said bars respectively on opposite sides of the longitudinal centers thereof.

10. In a device of the character described a transportable supporting structure comprising end plates having guides, stationary bottle gripping means carried by said structure, a movahle bottle gripper bar located in opposed relation to said gripping means and having means at its respective ends loosely engaging said guides to support the bar for free movement toward and from said bottle gripping means, and means for moving said bar toward said gripping means to grip a plurality of bottles.

'11. In a bottle gripping and transporting device, a movable supporting structure, a plurality of means on said structure respectively gripping assemblies of bottles, two freely movable gripper bars mounted on said structure respectively adjacent said gripping means, wedges associated with said bars, and means for actuating the wedges to move the bars in opposite directions into engagement with bottles located respectively between the same and said gripping means.

12. In a bottle gripping and transporting device, a movable supporting structure, a plurality of means on said structure respectively for gripping assemblies of bottles, two freely movable gripper bars mounted on said structure respectively adjacent said gripping means, conical members engaging said bars, and means for actuating said members to move the bars in opposite directions into engagement with bottles located between the same and said gripping means.

13. In a device of the class described, a supporting structure comprising spaced end Walls, a series of substantially parallel bars rigidly secured at theirrespective ends to said end walls, a third wall located between said end walls in spaced relation thereto and having substantially for 8 rigid connections with said bars, a laterally movable gripper bar extending between said end walls and supported by the same and by said intermediate wail, and means for moving said laterally movable bar laterally to grip one or more bottles.

14. In a device of the class described a supporting structure comprising, spaced end walls, a series of substantially parallel bars rigidly se cured at their respective ends to said end walls, a third wall located between said end walls in spaced relation thereto and having substantially rigid comiections with said bars, two laterally movable gripper bars extending between said end walls and supported by the same and by said intermediate wall, and means for moving said laterally movable bars laterallyto grip bottles to belifted.

15. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a supporting structure comprising spaced end walls, two pairs of frame bars rigidly secured at their ends respectively to said end walls and having the bars spaced in each pair to receive a row of bottles, two spaced combined frame and bottle gripper bars secured rigidly at their ends to said end walls and each located to receive the necks of the bottles on one side of one of said rows, a third wall located between said end walls through which said bars pass and with which said bars have substantially rigid connections, two laterally movable gripper bars mounted upon said end walls and extending between the same and resting upon said intermediate wall, said gripper bars being located respectively in opposed relation to said first two gripper bars, and means for moving the latter two gripper bars respectively toward the first two gripper bars and for releasing the same for movement away from the first two bars.

16. In a device of the character described, a transportable frame having spaced walls, means on said frame for engaging a series of bottles to grip the same, a bottle grpiping device loosely mounted on said walls for movement toward and from said bottle engaging means to grip and release the series of bottles, horizontal grooves formed in said walls for guiding said gripping device and limiting the lateral movement thereof, and means for moving said gripping device toward said bottle engaging means.

17. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a frame, relatively movable bottle gripping devices carried by said frame, vertically movable wedge members for relatively moving said devices, a longitudinal bar vertically movable in said frame and arranged to serve as a handle for lifting said frame, and connections for moving said wedge members vertically from the vertical movements of said bar.

18. In a device of the character described, a supporting structure, relatively movable bottle gripping devices carried by said structure, a longitudinal bar mounted for vertical movement in said frame and arranged to serve as a handle for lifting said structure, vertical rods secured to said bar, and wedge members respectively mounted on said rods for moving relatively said gripping devices to grip the bottles.

19. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a frame, relatively movable bottle gripping devices carried by said frame, vertically movable wedge members for relatively moving said desaid frame and arranged to serve as a handle for lifting said frame, and connections for movign said wedge members upwardly from the upward movement of said bar to move said gripping devices relatively into bottle gripping relation, the bar and said wedge members being arranged to be moved by gravity to release said gripping devices for relative movement out of gripping relation.

20. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a frame, means carried by said frame for engaging a series of two or more bottles on one side thereof to grip thesame, a gripper bar having its ends loosely mounted in said frame for free, lateral movement independently toward and from said engaging means to grip and release said bottles, and means suspended adjacent said bar and movable vertically with relation to the same for engaging and moving the bar laterally to grip the bottles of said series on the opposite side thereof.

21. In a device of the character described, a transportable frame comprising end plates, a series of bars rigidly connecting said end plates, one of said bars constituting a gripping device for gripping a series of two or more bottles on one side thereof, a gripper bar having its ends loosely mounted on said end plates for free and independent movement laterally toward and from the latter bar to grip the bottles of said series no the opposite side thereof and to release the same, an actuating bar having its ends loosely mounted for vertical movements in said frame, and means suspended from the latter bar and loosely engaging the movable gripper bar to move the same laterally to grip the bottles.

22. In a bottle lifting and transporting device,

a transportable frame comprising end plates, a series of bars rigidly connecting said end plates, one of said bars constituting a gripping device for gripping a series of two or more bottles on one side thereof, a gripper bar having its ends loosely mounted on said end plates for lateral movement independently toward and from the latter bar to grip the bottles of said series on the opposite side thereof and to release the same, an actuating bar having its ends loosely mounted for vertical movement in said frame, means suspended from the actuating bar and loosely engaging the movable gripper bar to actuate the same to grip the bottles, and a handle bar connected at its ends rigidly with said end plates and located so that the handle bar and the actuating bar may be grasped by one hand of the operator.

23. In a lifting and transporting device for a plurality of bottles arranged in a predetermined relationship, a frame comprising vertical end walls and a plurality of horizontal bars extending between and rigidly connected with said end walls, the said bars being located relatively to the end walls for engagement with the bottles to limit downward movement of the frame relatively to the bottles, and movable means on the frame vertically spaced from a horizontal plane through the centers of the bars and positioned for gripping the bottles when the frame is at its limit of relative downward movement as determined by the said bars which said means serves to lift and transport the bottles.

24. In a lifting and transporting device for a plurality of bottles arranged in a plurality of straight parallel rows, a frame comprising vertical end walls and a plurality of parallel horizontal bars extending between and rigidly connected with said end walls, the said bars being located relatively to the end walls to engage the bottles of said rows to limit downward movement of the frame relatively to the bottles, other bars parallel with the first said bars and extending between and rigidly connected with the end walls which last said bars are positioned to engage the bottles in the respective rows at the necks thereof when the frame is at its limit of relative downward movement as determined by the first said bars, and manually operable means on the frame for pressing the bottles in the said rows against the respective last said bars to grip the bottles for lifting and transportmg.

25. In a lifting and transporting device for a plurality of bottles arranged in a plurality of straight parallel rows, a frame comprising vertical end walls and a plurality of parallel horizontal bars extending between and rigidly connected with said end walls, the said bars being arranged in pairs with the bars of each pair spaced and positioned to engage the bottles of the corresponding row below the necks thereof and the said bars serving to limit downward movement of the frame relatively to the botties, and movable means on the frame positioned for gripping the bottles at the necks thereof when the frame is at its limit of relative downward movement as determined by the said bars which said means serves to lift and transport the bottles.

26. In a lifting and transporting device for a plurality of bottles arranged in a plurality of straight parallel rows, a frame comprising vertical end walls and a plurality of parallel horizontal bars extending between and rigidly connected with said end walls, the said bars being arranged in pairs with the bars of each pair spaced and positioned to engage the bottles of the corresponding row below the necks thereof and the said bars serving to limit downward movement of the frame relatively to the bottles, other bars parallel with the first said bars and extending between and rigidly connected with the end walls which last said bars are positioned to engage the bottles in the respective rows at the necks thereof when the frame is at its limit of relative downward movement as determined by the first said bars, and manually operable eans on the frame for pressing the bottles in the said rows against the respective last said bars to grip the bottles for lifting and transporting.

2'7. In a bottle lifting and transporting device, a frame comprising spaced end walls and a plurality of substantially parallel bars extending between and having their ends rigidly connected with said end walls, the said bars being located to engage the bottles, upon lowering the frame over a series of two or more bottles, and thereby limit the downward movement of the frame, and movable bottle gripping means carried by said frame.

LEONARD H. SCHWARZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,999,491 Vanucci Apr. 30, 1935 2,248,648 Thomas et a1. July 8, 1941 2,441,494 Larmett et a1 May 11, 1948 

